There’s something special about diving into a mystery—especially when the unknown is tinged with the supernatural. Urban Myth Dissolution Center caught my eye with its eerie premise and its striking pixel art, but what kept me hooked was its engaging mix of visual novel storytelling and point-and-click adventure gameplay. Developed by a small indie team, the game presents a world where urban legends take on a life of their own, and it’s up to protagonist Azami and her team to investigate, unravel, and, if necessary, dissolve these myths before they spiral out of control.
The moment I assumed the role of Azami Fukurai, a university student endowed with the rare gift of clairvoyance, I was drawn into the game’s compelling narrative. Azami’s ability to perceive echoes of the past through her glasses sets the stage for her reluctant involvement with the Urban Myth Dissolution Center. An inadvertent mishap with a supposedly cursed chair leads her to work off her debt under the guidance of the enigmatic director, Ayumu Meguriya, and the ever-reliable driver, Jasmine. This trio forms the core team dedicated to unraveling the city’s most perplexing urban legends.
From the very start, the game establishes a moody atmosphere that is both unsettling and inviting. The pixel art is phenomenal, balancing a minimalistic color palette that perfectly complements its spooky aesthetic. Character portraits are beautifully detailed, showcasing subtle expressions and intricate designs that bring the cast to life. Cutscenes also lean into this high level of detail, giving key story moments an almost cinematic quality. Meanwhile, the main gameplay segments adopt a more stripped-down look, with the environmental details taking center stage. This contrast not only makes exploration feel immersive but also emphasizes the importance of the setting in each case—every eerie alleyway, dimly lit office, or abandoned environment contributes to the game’s unsettling mood.
The game’s premise is immediately intriguing: in a world where urban myths and legends manifest into real threats, a special organization known as the Urban Myth Dissolution Center works in the shadows to investigate and neutralize these supernatural occurrences. Azami’s ability gives her an edge in uncovering the truth, though it also makes her a target for entities adding another layer of tension into the mix.
The episodic structure works incredibly well here, with each case introducing a new urban legend to investigate. Some cases revolve around common myths, while others dive into more obscure folklore. The writing is sharp, balancing eerie tension with well-placed moments of humor and warmth, particularly through Azami’s interactions with her team.
At its core, Urban Myth Dissolution Center blends visual novel storytelling with point-and-click investigation mechanics. Each case unfolds in multiple stages: first, you gather information from NPCs, explore key locations, and analyze crime scenes. Then, using Azami’s special ability, you piece together fragmented clues to reconstruct what really happened.
The investigative mechanics are solid but don’t quite evolve as much as I had hoped. Early on, it feels fresh—analyzing the environment, cross-referencing witness testimonies, and using Azami’s abilities to reveal hidden truths creates a compelling mystery-solving loop. However, as the game progresses, these mechanics start to feel a bit static. While the stories themselves remain engaging, the process of investigation doesn’t deepen significantly, leading to a sense of repetition in later cases. I found myself wishing for more layers—perhaps additional deduction mechanics or puzzles that required more intricate reasoning.
That said, the bite-sized nature of each case kept the pacing brisk. The episodic format reminded me of watching classic mystery shows like Scooby-Doo or Detective Conan as a kid. There’s something satisfying about wrapping up one case before moving on to the next, and the game does a great job of making each mystery feel distinct while maintaining an overarching narrative thread that builds toward a satisfying conclusion.
One of Urban Myth Dissolution Center’s biggest strengths is its cast. The relationship dynamics between Azami, Jasmine, and Director Meguriya are a highlight of the experience. Azami’s initial reluctance gradually transforms into determination, driven by her innate curiosity and sense of responsibility. Jasmine serves as a grounding presence, her laid-back demeanor and unwavering support providing balance to Azami’s more anxious tendencies. Director Meguriya, with his mysterious aura and concealed motives, adds an additional layer of intrigue, prompting me to question his true intentions and the broader purpose of the Dissolution Center. Their interactions feel natural, bouncing between playful banter and genuine concern for one another.
These relationships add an emotional weight to the investigations. The cases aren’t just about solving mysteries; they’re about the people affected by these urban myths. Seeing the team react to the consequences of their work, whether it’s relief at saving someone or frustration when they arrive too late, gives the game a strong emotional core.
I’m happy to report that Urban Myth Dissolution Center runs flawlessly on the Nintendo Switch. Whether in handheld mode or docked, the game’s crisp pixel art shines, and I never encountered any technical issues. Load times are quick, and as mentioned, the structure is chapter based, making it a great fit for short, pick-up-and-play sessions.
While I loved my time with the game overall, there were a couple of areas where it could have been stronger. Some cases had pacing issues, with sections feeling stretched out unnecessarily. In particular, a few late-game investigations dragged on longer than they needed to, which occasionally dulled the tension rather than building it.
Additionally, while the investigation mechanics are enjoyable, they don’t expand much beyond what’s introduced early on. A greater sense of progression—perhaps by introducing new tools, mechanics, or deduction systems—would have helped keep the gameplay feeling fresh throughout the whole experience.
Finally, the absence of voice acting felt like a missed opportunity. Given the game’s strong atmosphere and well-written dialogue, hearing the characters fully voiced could have elevated the presentation even further. While the text-based storytelling works well, having voice acting, even just for key moments, would have added an extra layer of immersion.
Final Thoughts
Urban Myth Dissolution Center is a fantastic blend of supernatural mystery, atmospheric storytelling, and investigative gameplay. The detailed pixel art, engaging cast, and episodic structure make it a perfect pick for fans of mystery stories, especially those who grew up watching episodic detective shows. While the investigation mechanics could have evolved further and the pacing occasionally stumbles, these are minor flaws in an otherwise engaging experience. For anyone looking for a stylish, eerie mystery adventure with an eye catching art style, Urban Myth Dissolution Center is well worth diving into.
A Nintendo Switch review code was provided for the purpose of this review.
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8
- + A visually striking art style
- + Bite sized episodic nature helps the game progression
- + Interesting characters and relationships
- + Interesting premise and overall story
- - Investigation mechanics fail to gain much complexity leading to some repetition
- - Missed opportunity not having voice acting
